> New study counters misinformation about the role of renewable energy in electricity costs

New study counters misinformation about the role of renewable energy in electricity costs

Tuesday, Mar 18, 2014

TORONTO, March 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Environmental Defence released a study today with new data that shows the relatively small role that renewable energy plays in Ontario residential electricity bills. Your Home Electricity Bill: A Study on the Costs in Ontario shows that just 9 per cent of the average residential bill is for non-hydro renewable energy.

"As the new kid on the block, renewable energy is all too often blamed for rising electricity costs. The truth is renewables play a fairly small role in Ontarians' electricity bills today," said Gillian McEachern of Environmental Defence. "But they have significant health and environmental benefits that aren't reflected in our monthly bills."

Over the last 10 years, Ontario has built a more reliable energy system and removed polluting coal from the mix. These changes brought benefits, including a more stable electricity grid, fewer smog days, and savings in hospital costs associated with coal pollution.

Using data by Power Advisory LLC, a respected independent energy consultation firm, the report calculates how much non-hydro renewable energy contributes today, and in the future, to the average residential electricity bill. The report illustrates that while electricity bills are expected to increase, much of this increase is due to the expiration of a rebate that was introduced to offset the price of HST - not the sources of electricity.

The report also shows that rather than being at the high end of the spectrum, Ontario falls in the middle range of North American costs for residential electricity bills. And it illustrates how energy efficiency can help offset projected rises in electricity rates.

About ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.